Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

High-speed Particle Image Velocimetry Near Surfaces
Published on: June 24, 2013
Analysis of particle kinematics in spheronization via particle image velocimetry
Martin Koester1, Markus Thommes1
1Institute of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany.
Abstract:
Spheronization is a wide spread technique in pellet production for many pharmaceutical applications. Pellets produced by spheronization are characterized by a particularly spherical shape and narrow size distribution. The particle kinematic during spheronization is currently not well-understood. Therefore, particle image velocimetry (PIV) was implemented in the spheronization process to visualize the particle movement and to identify flow patterns, in order to explain the influence of various process parameters. The spheronization process of a common formulation was recorded with a high-speed camera, and the images were processed using particle image velocimetry software. A crosscorrelation approach was chosen to determine the particle velocity at the surface of the pellet bulk. Formulation and process parameters were varied systematically, and their influence on the particle velocity was investigated. The particle stream shows a torus-like shape with a twisted rope-like motion. It is remarkable that the overall particle velocity is approximately 10-fold lower than the tip speed of the friction plate. The velocity of the particle stream can be correlated to the water content of the pellets and the load of the spheronizer, while the rotation speed was not relevant. In conclusion, PIV was successfully applied to the spheronization process, and new insights into the particle velocity were obtained.
Related Concept Videos
Relative Motion Analysis - Velocity
When an external force is exerted, it sets the crank into a rotational movement. This, in turn, instigates the motion of the connecting rod, leading to what is referred to as a general plane motion. This process involves two key points - point A on the connecting rod...
Instantaneous Center of Zero Velocity
To analyze this, consider two points on the wheel: point A and point B. The absolute velocity of point B can be expressed as the vector sum of the absolute velocity of point A and the relative velocity of point B with respect to point A. To simplify this analysis,...
Absolute Motion Analysis- General Plane Motion
As the drone's propellers rotate, an upward force is generated that counteracts the force of gravity, enabling the drone to lift off from the ground. This initial movement of the drone is along a straight path, representing a form of translational motion. In this phase, every point on the drone...
Relative Motion Analysis using Rotating Axes - Acceleration
Time differentiation is...
Velocity and Acceleration in Steady and Unsteady Flow
The acceleration can be generalized to any point in the flow, and expressed as components along three perpendicular directions, representing changes in velocity over time.
Curvilinear Motion: Polar Coordinates
The particle's location is described using a unit vector along the radial direction. Deriving the particle's position with respect to time...

